I just noticed in my email I stated to have the runners on the right, I meant to
change the course to put the runners on the left hand side of the road in the
last 3/4 mile so they don't have to cross traffic in the last 3/4 mile. The rest
of the course has very little traffic and shouldn't be a problem.
Thanks for the input. I will look into getting a bigger building from the
fairgrounds, this should be an easy fix.
A couple of other things that happened behind the scenes were:
1. Northwest Runner put in the wrong time for the event (9:00am) and didn't
include the web address. My phone was ringing off the hook. People didn't know
how to register for the event. I ended up putting a message on my phone to log
onto our website for more race information. Next year I will call Martin and
make sure he gets this information correct.
2. Next year we should pay for a few small ads in Northwest Runner, maybe I
can talk Martin into distributing race brochures for free, since we do spend a
lot of money for ads in our bigger events
3. I didn't get a "News Flash" out to SV Herald, they also have a community
section we can utilize for free we can take advantage of.
4 The flood threat had a lot of people concerned the race might be canceled.
If this is a problem next year we need to update the website to alleviate
runners concerns.
5. We need to purchase more pies from Costco next year, and possibly cut them
in bigger portions. The small pies we purchased from my mom probably were not as
cost effective as the Costco pies. We may also be able to get a discount from
Costco if we order them early.
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My husband wanted to tell you how well the race was organized today. There was
plenty of water at the end and there was a water stop. Also there was more food
at the end and coffee - all appreciated.
Susan Bergman for
Robert Bergman
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I ran the 10K. The course was marked and staffed really well, I thought. Never
a question of where to go. I agree with the sign color, It could be brighter,
but I saw them all, as did those I was running with as we passed them, because
everybody checked their watchs! Liked them better than cones.

That u-shaped last few blocks is too screwy. I would think just reset the
turnaround, and then just keep us all on the inside (left) of the last turns.
The start line is already really well placed, and the finish dash into the
fairgounds up to the clock is just right for great sprints. Boy, some races you
can see that damn clock for so long .. I think Sedro-Wooley is that way!

It was a good crowd, things moved right along, and the post race stuff worked
well except that is a small building and hard to hear the official stuff over
the visiting that goes on in the back of the crowd. I think someone said all
the turkeys were donated from Red Apple and my wife was amazed that little store
would do that! Last year they were from Safeway, and were not really turkeys,
they were gift cards. Which was fine, but it was neat to see all the people
carrying off real turkeys. The pie is great.

P Haase ....
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Pros:
* 2 mile course had great support for intersections
* Spliting the turkey and pie drawing between 2 mile and 10K and announcing
2 miile turkey/pie
winners after 2 mile awards was successful
* Coffee and hot cider available, pumpkin pie, bread and talking rain as
refreshments
* Split food for the 2 different groups
* Quick results and awards
Cons:
* Need to mail registrations to prior participants
* More pumpkin pies for finish line (5 were definitely not enough, and we
went into the drawing
pies because we ran out - this is one of the things the run is
known for)
* Store bought pumpkin pies (larger and boxes and to carry home in)
* Better signage for registration areas
* Long sleeve t-shirts


Just a side note: We really enjoyed the race which we always have. There
were some things that were different from previous years which will always
happen with a new group taking over. I don't want you to think that we were
disappointed with the results of the race today but we are always thinking
about ways to make it better. One question, was this put on by Skagit
Runners or Footworx? Didn't Skagit Runners do most of the work and pay for
the items to be purchased? If so, why was it known as the Footworx Fowl Fun
Run? In future years, if Skagit Runners is the one to do the run then
shouldn't it be known as the Skagit Runners Fowl Fun Run? Just a thought.

Ron and Kim :)
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Members
First of all I would like to thank everyone for helping out with the
race. It sounds like Kevin and the club did a fantastic job of making our
first Fowl Fun Run a success. I wish I could have been there. I would like
to get a list of all the volunteers that helped out with the race. Please
include your shirt sizes. Once I get a list I plan on ordering more shirts.
Since this was our first year, Kevin and I decided that we would try
to keep almost everything the same. Talking Rain and Great Harvest Bread
donated product, and we increased the amount of pies at the finish line.
I have only heard of a few items, from a club member, that we should
change. The 10k certified course states that the runners need to stay on
the right hand side of the road in the last 3/4 mile. The problem with this
is trying to cross traffic at Cleveland and Hazel, and then onto Virginia
to the finish. It would be better if they were able to stay on the left,
they wouldn't have to cross traffic at all. The only problem with this is
it will alter the certified course. The right thing to do is have the last
1 mile recertified and extend the course a little bit further into the
Fairgrounds, move the start back, or move the turn around.
The 2 mile course has had problems for a few years. I think we should
change the course for safety and confusion issues. If we can extend their
run/walk on Britt Slough, have them turn around on Britt Slough, then have
them follow the same route as the 10k runners to the finish. This would cut
down on the amount of volunteers we need, and keep the runners/walkers out
of the busier part of the course.
I should have made signs that were a brighter color. The baby blue
color blended in with the scenery. So next year I will either make bright
orange signs, or make sandwich board signs for the race.
Any and all comments welcome. This race is a great fun family event. I
really appreciate YMCA trusting it to us, and thank the club for taking it
on! I think with your help it will only get better. So any comments good or
bad are more than welcome. Can I hear from a few of the club members that
ran the race and volunteered!
Thanks Terry


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